Cobalt free high speed steels

ABSTRACT

An alloy steel having the capability of retaining high hardness at elevated temperature for a prolonged time is suitable for use as a high speed tool steel. The alloy steel comprises in % by weight: 0.7-1.4 C; less than 1 Mn; less than 0.04 P; up to 0.7 Si; 3-6 Cr; 4-12 Mo; less than 0.5 Co; 0.5-2.25 V; 1-7 W; up to 1.25 Al; at least one of 0.04-2.5 Nb; 0.025-2.5 Zr; 0.08-4.75 Ta and 0.005-0.7 Ti; balance substantially Fe. The alloy may also have an S content of 0.036-0.300; Mn of 0.30-1.35 and may optionally be treated when in a liquid state with up to 0.05 of Mg or Ca.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of earlier filed U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/059,143, filed Sep. 17, 1997, entitled “Cobalt Free High Speed Steels”.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the art of metallurgy and, more particularly, to high speed tool steels.

High speed steels are composite materials that contain a variety of alloy carbide particles in an iron base plus, depending on the heat treatment, various atomic arrangements of iron carbon in the form of austenitic, ferritic, bainltic and martensitic structures. Various carbide forming elements such as, for example, chromium, molybdenum, tungsten and vanadium, are constituents of high speeds. Infrequently, niobium and titanium are used as additional carbide forming elements. These above enumerated elements are found combined as carbides as the result of ledeburitic and eutectoid reactions as the molten alloy solidifies and transformation as the temperature drops. Silicon is normally present and higher levels may be added to the alloy to increase attainable hardness.

Because of the high temperatures produced during machining more difficult materials, the retention of the critical cutting surfaces is related to the hardness of the tool. The ability of the tool to retain its hardness is assessed by the hardness of the tool at elevated temperatures. Retention of the hardness can be measured by testing the steel at a given temperature or heating the steel for a prolonged time at a given temperature then measuring the steel's retention of hardness at room temperature when the tool cools down. The present invention improves the hot hardness properties of high speed steel without the use of cobalt or very high tungsten and/or molybdenum combinations. Cobalt is not only expensive but its supply is irregular and the use of very high tungsten and molybdenum combinations produce steels that are difficult to hot work without utilizing costly powder metallurgy methods.

The present invention provides a family of high speed steel compositions that have the capability of achieving high hardness upon proper hardening and retaining a significant portion of that property at temperatures commonly encountered by cutting tools such as drills, taps and reamers. These steels are also useful in operations that require high hardness at more moderate to room temperature operations such as punches and thread forming tools.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an alloy steel having the capability of retaining high hardness at elevated temperature for a prolonged time. The alloy steel is suitable for use as a high speed tool steel and broadly comprises in % by weight: 0.7-1.4 C; less than 1 Mn; less than 0.04 P; up to 0.7 Si; 3-6 Cr; 4-12 Mo; less than 0.5 Co; 0.5-2.25 V; 1-7 W; up to 1.25 Al; at least one of 0.04-2.5 Nb; 0.25-2.5 Zr; 0.08-4.75 Ta; and at least one of 0.005-0.7 Ti; 0.025-1.4 Zr; balance Fe. The alloy may also have an S content of 0.036-0.300; and Mn of 0.30-1.35 and may optionally be treated when in a liquid state with up to 0.05 of Mg or Ca.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a high speed steel similar to the popular types such as AISI M-2 with the hot hardness properties similar to AISI M-42. Since the hardness and other physical properties of high speed steels are related to their heat treatment, carbide size, distribution and composition, the theoretical phases of high speed steels were examined through the calculations of Thermo Calc® (a registered tradermark of Thermo-Calc AB) a software program that utilizes known thermodynamic values of the constituent elements to predict phase formation. Initially, a fractionated factorial experiment was designed based on the concept that small, primary, MC carbides would resist softening. As AISI M-2 high speed was chosen as a base, the carbon, tungsten, vanadium and molybdenum levels were varied with the addition of varying amounts of niobium and aluminum The niobium was added to combine with the carbon as a source of carbides stable at high temperatures. Whilst the aluminum was added as a means of improving the hot hardness of the alloy since it retards softening, it was also added since it enhances the stability of the ferrite and modifies the morphology of niobium carbide particles. The modification of the niobium carbide morphology is affected by aluminum because it reduces the activity of carbon in the melt and in the austenite. If the niobium combines to form carbides in the form of M₆C, these will be large blocky particles. Large blocky particles are less desirable than smaller fine particles which are type formed when the niobium forms M₂C type carbides. The use of aluminum to improve hot hardness properties of high speed steels and M-2 grade in particular has been used in the past, particularly at concentrations around one weight percentage. Aluminum, however, reduces the solidus temperature substantially and thus causes difficulties in heat treating because it limits the ability to use very high austenitizing temperatures for maximum hardening response. Aluminum also increases the carbide content that precipitates during secondary hardening brought out by tempering at intermediate temperatures. Heat treated hardness is also improved by the addition of aluminum since it decreases the amount of retained austenite. Aluminum is critical in the present invention and preferably added up to 1.25 wt. %. Smaller amounts of aluminum, in the range of 0.025 to 0.25, are effective in obtaining the desired properties.

Although silicon also increases temper hardness, it also drastically lowers hardening temperatures as the liquidus and solidus temperatures. Silicon can replace tungsten, molybdenum and vanadium in the matrix and raise the solubility of carbon in the matrix. These changes cause a higher quenched hardness, but this effect decreases in the presence of nitrogen. Nitrogen is typically present in high speed tool steels in concentrations of 0.01 to 0.08%. Nitrogen raises the tempered hardness and it causes the primary, MC carbides, to be globular in shape.

Niobium readily forms carbide particles. These particles form as the metal solidifies in the form, MC, that is noted as good for wear resistance. Niobium decreases the solubility of carbon in austenite and the lower carbon content of the austenite matrix results in higher martensite transformation start temperature. These higher martensite start temperatures favor less retained austenite. The addition of niobium and consequent formation of niobium carbide particles result in higher hardening temperatures. The formation of niobium carbide particles is favored, as measured by the free energy at elevated temperatures, over the formation of other common carbide compounds such as vanadium, molybdenum, tungsten and chromium carbides.

An experiment was designed to examine the effects of variations of six elements, carbon, tungsten, niobium, vanadium, aluminum and molybdenum on a high speed steel of the composition of AISI M-2 steel. Chromium was set for an aim of 3.75 wt. %, silicon at 0.35%, manganese at 0.32%, phosphorus at 0.015% maximum, sulphur at 0.005%, nickel at 0.16% with no additions of cobalt or titanium. A series of trail ingots based on a fractionated factorial was melted in a 100 pound vacuum induction furnace then cast into round molds which were rolled to bar for evaluation. An additional alloy in the middle of the factorial design composition range was also melted, alloy number 17. The initial heats to be melted had the following aim compositions.

Factorial Experimental Design: Chemical Composition Al Heat C W Nb V soluble Mo 1 .85 1.60 .10 .90 none 5.00 2 1.18 1.60 .10 .90 1.00 5.00 3 .85 6.00 .10 .90 1.00 10.50 4 1.18 6.00 .10 .90 none 5.00 5 .85 1.60 1.60 .90 1.00 10.50 6 1.18 1.60 1.60 .90 none 10.50 7 .85 6.00 1.60 .90 none 5.00 8 1.18 6.00 1.60 .90 1.00 5.00 9 .85 1.60 .10 1.80 none 10.50 10 1.18 1.60 .10 1.80 1.00 10.50 11 .85 6.00 .10 1.80 1.00 5.00 12 1.18 6.00 .10 1.80 none 5.00 13 .85 1.60 1.60 1.80 1.00 5.00 14 1.18 1.60 1.60 1.80 none 5.00 15 .85 6.00 1.60 1.80 none 10.50 16 1.18 6.00 1.60 1.80 1.00 10.50 17 1.02 3.80 .85 1.35  .50 7.75

The proposed alloys were examined for predicted equilibrium phases and transformations from the liquid state via Thermo Calc®.

Theoretic Predio Phases and Critical Temperatures Thermo Calc® of Initial Factorial Experiment

Theoretical Prediction Phases and Critical Temperatures from Thermo Calc ® of Initial Factorial Experiment Anstenite Liquidus Solidus to Ferrite % Alloy ° F. ° F. ° F. Ferrite M₂₃C₆ M₆C M₂C MC  1 2588 2243 1514- 84 10.1% 4.8% — 1.0% 1473  2 2582 2142 1764- 77.4 17.5 3.3 — 1.9 1554  3 2594 2269 2060- 72.9 5.8 20.85 — .35 1688  4 2531 2206 1497- 74 13.6 9.2   1.6% 1.7 1444  5 2586 2305 2305- 78.2 3.6 15.9 — 2.4 1643  6 2518 2285 1534- 74 9.3 13.6 — 3.0 1487  7 2565 2359 1540- 81.6 3.1 12.2 — 3.1 incomplete  8 2603 2243 1883- 77.1 8.6 10.5 — 3.8 1472  9 inc. 2338 1631- 78.6 3.9 15.6 — 2.0 1523 10 2552 2269 2240- 76.3 6.7 13.4 — 3.6 1634 11 inc. 2271 2265- 79.7 5.2 12.8 — 2.2 1660 12 2522 2109 1472- 68.0 17.4 12.4 — — 1373 13 2612 2140 no 85.4 3.4 7.2 — 4.1 anstenite delta 14 2526 2274 1552- 81.5 8.7 4.8 — 4.8? 1489 15 2543 2348 2337- 73.8 0 22.1 — 4.0 1763 16 2533 2241 no 73.1 0 14.2 12.5  0 anstenite 17 2562 2233 1746- 81.2 .6 5.5 12.7  0 1575 M42* 2512 2212 1572- 77.4 9.4 11.2   0 2.4 1532 M42 2508 2212 1592- 80.6 3.7 5.8 8.3 1.5 1555 M-2 inc. 2284 1526- 79.2 6.7 12.1 — 1.9 1472 M2 + 2063 no 77.6 8.9 10.6 — 3.0 1% Al gamma delta *no nitrogen

The ingots were rolled to approximately 1.25×4″ flats. Samples were cut from wrought bars from each trial heat. These pieces were then austenitized at a range of temperatures from 2125-2175° F. Rockwell “C” hardness, “HRC”, was measured after quenching from the austenitizing temperature then again following each two hour tempered cycle. The pieces were austenitized at three or more different temperatures set in the range 2125-2175° F. then tempered over a range of temperatures from 932-1067° F.

Chemical Composition and Heat Treat Response of Initial Melts

Maximum Austenitize Temper Al Hardness Temperature Temperature Melt C W V Mo soluble Nb HRC ° F. ° F. 645 .82 1.58 .87 5.27 .024 .13 66.8 2120  999 647 653 1.03 1.55 .87 5.30 1.07 .10 63.1 2120 1067 656 .92 1.71 .93 10.70 1.18 1.69 58.2 2145  932 677 1.19 1.71 .89 10.71 .031 1.72 66.0 2145 1067 657 1.20 1.81 .90 10.97 .086 1.66 65.9 2120  999 673 .87 6.08 .85 5.28 .034 1.61 65.0 2145  999 646 .75 5.60 .78 4.85 .193 1.59 64.1 2145  999 648 674 1.18 6.10 .83 5.27 .033 .10 65.9 2120 1067 658 1.22 6.58 .88 5.30 .105 1.55 65.9 2145 1067 662 .86 1.69 1.71 5.10 .82 1.55 63.0 2145  932 678 1.17 1.68 1.68 5.27 .026 1.69 64.4 2145  999 663 1.19 1.72 1.55 5.18 .82 1.51 66.3 2120  999 651 .77 1.88 1.88 11.69 .029 .16 63.5 2145  999 660A 1.14 1.72 1.60 10.95 .90 .096 66.6 2120  999 659 66.5 2145  999 661 .86 6.14 1.73 5.34 .85 .10 66.6 2145  999 660B 65.2 2145  932 675 1.23 6.25 1.69 5.30 .035 .10 67.4 2145 1067 650 1.12 6.00 1.50 5.20 .112 .11 66.9 2145 1067 654 .95 6.31 .82 11.02 1.24 .11 65.0 2145  932 676 .87 6.11 1.72 10.72 .060 1.60 56.3 2145  999 652 .75 8.28 1.63 10.98 .174 2.01 24.2 2145 1067 665 1.03 3.86 1.22 8.03 .41 .90 66.5 2145  999

Heat Treat Response with 2175° F. Austenitize Temperature and 932° F. Temper

Hardness - HRC Hardness - HRC Melt after 3 Tempers Melt after 3 Tempers 645 64.9 657 65.9 650 66.1 658 65.5 654 65.1 663 66.4 660 66.6 665 66.1 661 64.4 673 64.3 674 60.5 677 65.1 675 66.0

A comparison of the heat treat response with the theoretical phase composition predicted by Thermo Calc® did not show a positive correlation of hardness with M₂C particles. Wrought samples from the most promising heats plus a sample of AISI M-42 high speed were quenched and tempered, then aged at elevated temperatures, then air cooled to room temperature to determine their retained hardness.

Percentage Retained Hardness—HRC of Selected Melts

32 hours 32 hours 32 + 176 32 hours 32 + 163 at at hours at at hours at Melt 700 °F. 1000 °F. 1000 °F. 1100 °F. 1100 °F. 650 89 101 99 81 75 660B 89 98 94 83 66 661 92 97 95 86 72 675 86 98 94 84 66 663 90 100 92 76 69 665 90 97 93 78 71 666 M-42 90 97 90 78 67

Examination of samples from cast ingots on a scanning electron microscope revealed the presence of dark spots in the core of some of the niobium carbide particles. EDS examination of these niobium carbides showed the dark spots were titanium. Titanium had not been included in the original factorial in order to keep the number of variables limited. It is well known that titanium acts as a nucleation agent for niobium carbide particles. The formation of titanium carbide is more favored as measured by free energy than niobium carbide at elevated temperatures. Additionally, titanium carbide has the same crystal structure as niobium carbide which allows the particles to be coherent to each other.

The original ingots were examined for titanium content which was picked up apparently as a contaminant from some of the raw materials used to make up the trial ingots.

Titanium Levels in Initial Melts Heat Titanium Heat Titanium Heat Titanium 645 .010% 654B .027% 663 .014% 646 .023 655A .023 664 .018 647 .010 656 .022 665 .012 648 .023 657 .004 666 .008 649 .020 658 .005 673 .011 650 .020 659 .002 674 .007 651 .020 660 .003 675 .007 652 .021 661 .012 676 .013 653A .011 662 .014 677 .015 678 .012

A second set of melts were made involving a factorial around the heats with good hardenability and high retained hardness, heats 650, 660, 661 and 675, using different levels of aluminum and titanium. These heats are basically AISI M-2 with a low niobium content modified with varying amounts of aluminum and titanium. Two additional high niobium heats were melted because of the promising results on the initial melts of 663 and 665. Heat 663 is basically AISI M-1 with 1.5% niobium plus aluminum.

The 5″ round ingots were pressed to 2.25″ squares which were then rolled to 0.520″ round bars. Samples were tested for composition and heat treat response.

Chemical Composition of Second Factorial Experimental Design Melts

Al Melt C W V Mo soluble Nb Ti Si Cr 505 1.11 6.37 1.74 5.12 .023 .11 .005 .39 3.83 511 1.11 6.25 1.66 5.03 .033 .10 .030 .40 3.79 513 1.12 6.20 1.73 5.08 .094 .10 .005 .42 3.95 509 1.16 6.53 1.75 5.27 .093 .11 .025 .40 3.78 507 1.12 6.24 1.74 5.08 .102 .11 .040 .40 3.79 514 1.07 6.22 1.59 5.06 .730  .059 .026 .39 3.77 1043  1.00 5.53  .82 7.00 .139 .31 .033 .40 3.86 1044  1.03 2.05  .92 9.05 .149 .99 .029 .37 3.83

Samples from each melt were hardened in salt then tempered in air with two hours for each cycle.

Heat Treat Response of Second Factorial Melts Hardness HRC

Austenitizing 977F 977F 1043F 1043F 1112F 1112F Temperature As Temper Temper Temper Temper Temper Temper Heat ° F. Quenched 2 + 2 2 + 2 + 2 2 + 2 2 + 2 + 2 2 + 2 2 + 2 + 2 505 2140 63.77 66.9 66.5 65.2 65.8 64.8 63.9 2170 62.78 67.3 67.2 64.2 66.5 65.0 64.6 2200 62.98 66.8 67.3 65.0 67.0 65.2 65.1 507 2140 63.9  66.2 66.6 65.2 66.7 64.2 63.4 2170 62.9  67.1 67.2 66.2 66.8 65.4 64.6 2200 63.00 67.3 67.7 65.0 66.9 65.7 65.3 509 2140 62.4  67.0 67.0 64.3 66.6 65.5 64.5 2170 61.6  67.3 67.5 64.0 66.4 65.7 65.3 2200 61.9  67.6 67.7 64.3 — 65.8 65.7 511 2140 63.3  66.5 66.4 64.0 66.2 63.8 63.3 2170 63.3  66.4 66.3 65.0 66.6 65.1 64.3 2200 62.37 67.3 67.7 65.0 66.1 65.5 64.8 513 2140 63.7  62.8 64.7 66.5 65.5 65.0 63.7 2170 63.6  67.1 67.2 64.8 66.7 65.4 64.8 2200 62.38 67.3 67.5 67.2 67.2 64.7 64.6 514 2140 63.6  66.4 66.9 65.1 66.5 64.0 63.0 2170 62.9  67.1 67.2 65.2 66.6 65.4 64.4 2200 62.96 67.2 67.5 65.5 66.8 65.8 63.0 1043  2100 62.46 66.15 63.88 63.5 65.9 64.0 63.6 2140 61.58 66.7 66.9 63.4 65.7 64.8 65.6 2170 60.52 66.5 67.1 62.3 65.0 66.6 66.3 2200 59.38 66.57 66.8 63.8 65.0 65.7 65.6 1044  2100 64.9  65.6 66.0 65.1 66.2 63.3 62.7 2140 64.3  66.3 66.3 65.5 66.4 64.1 63.8 2170 63.48 67.1 66.9 65.4 66.9 64.6 64.0 2200 62.7  67.0 66.8 66.1 66.9 63.5 62.4

Other bar samples were hardened and tempered then given aging treatments to measure resistance to softening in service.

Aging Trials: Percent Retained Hardness HRC

Hardness Quench & Retained after Tempered 1024 hours Hardness Retained after Melt Hardness - HRC at 991 °F. 1024 hours at 1101 °F.  505 66.57 92.53% 62.64%  507 66.62 91.71 62.29  509 66.80 92.07 62.72  511 66.55 92.41 62.81  513 66.47 92.07 62.28  514 66.61 92.93 62.15 1043 66.66 92.86 64.35 1044 66.56 90.29 63.40 A0333 66.50 89.32% 64.96% M-42

Additional samples from these melts were hardened and tempered before being tested at elevated temperatures for hot hardness.

Hot Hardness Second Factorial Melts

Hardness—HRC and Percent of Initial Hardness Retained

Room 900° F. 1000° F. 1100° F. 1200° F. Temperature HRC HRC HRC HRC Melt HRC % % % % 505 65.8 58.8 56.0 52.6 43.9 89.4 85.1 79.9 66.7 507 65.6 57.5 55.5 51.3 41.5 87.7 84.6 78.2 63.3 509 65.1 56.0 56.5 53.6 43.9 86.0 86.8 82.3 67.3 511 65.9 57.5 55.3 52.1 42.2 87.3 83.9 79.1 64.0 513 67.4 53.4 56.4 52.8 44.3 86.6 83.7 78.3 65.7 514 66.5 58.2 56.1 52.8 43.9 87.5 84.4 79.4 66.0 1043  66.6 57.9 55.2 52.3 43.2 86.9 82.9 78.5 64.9 1044  67.0 58.3 56.7 53.9 43.5 87.0 84.6 80.4 64.9 A0333 67.0 59.0 57.6 54.7 45.2 M-42 88.1 86.0 81.6 67.5

Longitudinal and transverse sections of annealed samples were examined using an optical microscope and 100× and 400×. The low niobium heats with higher titanium levels showed a tendency toward thicker banding of the carbides. The highest aluminum heat, 507, showed much larger carbides with heavy banding. Therefore, a larger heat based on the 509 analysis was scheduled. A semi-production heat of high niobium was based on the results of 1043 melt. However, based on relating of high aluminum levels with larger carbides in the annealed condition, the aluminum aim was lowered.

Chemical Composition Weight Percent Initial Semi-Production Heats

Chemical Composition Weight Percent Initial Semi-Production Heats C W Si V Cr Mn Co aim low 1.08 6.25 .39 1.75 3.80 .32 DNA niobium actual 1.07 6.34 .40 1.80 3.92 .41 .28 G3643 aim high 1.08 4.50 .32 1.00 3.80 .32 DNA niobium actual 1.07 4.74 .34 1.03 3.95 .38 .19 G3644 Al Mo soluble Nb Ti N S P aim low 5.10 .095 .10 .025 .0325 .005 .015x niobium actual 5.17 .032 .10 .024 .0408 .011 .021 G3643 aim high 6.87 .095 .50 .025 .0325 .005 .015x niobium actual 7.44 .047 .30 .025 .0370 .007 .022 G3644

The initial low niobium heat was set to be 0.06% in carbon below stoichiometric balance with the carbides while the actual heat is 0.09% below balance. The high niobium heat was aimed to be 0.01% deficient in carbon from stoichiometric balance but the final product was 0.04% deficient. Although the molybdenum level in the high niobium heat was above the aim, the molybdenum to tungsten ratio was essentially unchanged. The aim on the soluble aluminum content was missed substantially on both heats, but processing to wrought bar and testing were continued.

The ¾ ton ingots were slow cooled then given a subcritical stress relief at 1360° F., then rotary forged to 4.9375″ round comer squares which were further rolled, then machined to a variety of bar sizes from 0.500 to 2.107″ rounds. Hot acid macro examination of the billets from both heats showed excellent freedom from segregation and pattern at all locations from product of both heats. Bar samples were then tested for heat treat response, hot hardness, etc.

Optical microscope examination revealed typical primary carbides in large colonies in the as-cast material with the general carbide distribution growing finer as the material was hot worked. However, the primary carbide particles in the high niobium heat, G3644, larger and more squarish in shape. Examination of the material in the hardened and tempered condition showed some of the primary carbides in the heat G3644 at three way grain boundaries. The larger carbide particles in the high niobium heat are attributed to not only the higher niobium content but the relative lower amounts of aluminum and titanium in this heat that are available to nucleate fine particles and minimize their growth.

Bar samples of annealed material were hardened in salt, quenched, then tempered in air for two hours for each temper.

Heat Treat Response: Melt G3643 Hardness HRC

Austenitize As 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Temperature Quenched Temper Temper Temper Temper Temper ° F. HRC ° F. HRC HRC HRC HRC 2120 64.7  977 64.3 66.0 66.1 66.4 2140 64.0 64.1 66.0 66.6 66.9 2200 63.1 63.8 66.0 66.9 67.3 2240 62.9 64.5 66.6 67.2 68.0 2180 64.0 1025 — — — 66.9 2120 64.7 1033 65.8 66.2 65.8 65.9 2140 64.0 66.0 66.4 65.7 66.0 2160 63.8 65.5 67.0 67.7 67.9 2200 63.1 66.3 67.0 67.1 67.0 2240 62.9 66.7 67.4 67.7 67.4 2120 64.7 1085 65.4 64.6 64.0 63.1 2140 64.0 65.5 64.7 63.8 63.1 2160 63.8 65.9 65.5 65.4 65.4 2200 63.1 65.7 64.6 64.3 63.9 2240 62.9 66.6 66.6 66.3 66.0

Heat Treat Response: Melt G3644 Hardness HRC

Austenitize AS 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Temperature Quenched Temper Temper Temper Temper Temper ° F. HRC ° F. HRC HRC HRC HRC 2140 62.6  977 63.3 65.2 65.7 66.4 2180 61.8 63.0 64.5 66.0 66.5 2200 60.4 61.9 64.7 65.9 66.4 2220 59.8 62.0 64.7 65.2 66.2 2220 1025 1025 — — — 67.4 2130 — 1033 65.9 66.3 66.5 — 2140 62.6 65.9 66.5 67.0 66.8 2160 61.7 65.6 66.8 67.0 67.1 2180 61.8 64.2 65.2 64.2 67.1 2200 60.4 66.4 66.9 66.2 66.5 2220 59.8 65.1 67.4 68.0 68.2 2140 62.6 1085 65.6 64.9 64.6 63.8 2160 61.7 65.8 65.4 64.6 64.1 2180 61.8 64.2 64.5 64.0 64.0 2200 60.4 65.4 66.6 66.5 65.8 2220 59.8 65.5 66.2 66.3 66.0

Bar samples from both heats were quenched and tempered, then aged at elevated temperature, 1128° F., then air cooled to room temperature to determine their retained hardness.

Percentage Retained Hardness—HRC of Initial Semi Production Heats Aged at 1128° F.

Austenitization at 194 % at 339 Temperature initial hours Re- hours % Heat ° F. HRC HRC tained HRC Retained G3643 2140 66.6  42.1  63.2 39.2 58.9 2180 66.86 42.62 63.7 40.4 60.4 G3644 2140 66.5  44.37 66.7 40.7 61.2 2220 67.39 42.62 63.2 42.2 62.6

Additional samples from these melts were hardened and tempered before being tested at elevated temperatures for hot hardness.

Hot Hardness Initial Semi Production Heats Hardness—HRC and Percent of Initial Hardness Retained

Heat Room 900° F. 1000° F. 1100° F. 1200° F. Austenitize Temperature HRC HRC HRC HRC Temperature HRC % % % % G3643 66.1 56.5 52.6 47.1 22.7 2140F 85.5 79.5 71.3 34.3 G3643 65.8 57.5 53.8 48.1 32.4 2180F 87.3 81.7 73.1 49.3 G3644 66.1 56.6 54.5 48.5 32.5 2130F 85.2 82.4 73.3 49.2 G3644 67.9 58.7 55.4 51.1 37.2 2220F 86.5 81.6 75.3 54.8 M-42 67.3 57.5 55.9 50.1 34.8 A0333 85.8 83.1 74.4 51.7 2150F

Because the first set of semi production heats was slightly out of the desired chemical analysis, two additional heats were melted. The low niobium composition was tried again with higher aluminum. The higher niobium type was modified to have lower tungsten with higher molybdenum, niobium and aluminum. In essence, this high niobium heat was designed to mimic some of the alloy balances in AISI M-42. In particular, the ratio of vanadium plus niobium and titanium to the total tungsten and molybdenum is similar to M-42. Likewise, the ratio of molybdenum to molybdenum plus tungsten is the same as M-42. The aimed stoichiometric balance is also similar to M-42 while the total atomic fraction of carbide forming elements is the same.

Chemical Composition Weight Percent Second Set Semi-Production Heats

C W Si V Cr Mn Co aim low 1.08 6.25 .39 1.75 3.80 .32 DNA niobium actual 1.06 6.17 .32 1.77 3.91 .56 .26 G3845 aim high 1.10 2.00 .32 .90 3.80 .32 DNA niobium actual 1.10 2.19 .50 1.11 3.82 .41 .12 G3846 Al Mo soluble Nb Ti N S P aim low 5.10 .095 .10 .025 .0325 .005 .015x niobium actual 4.97 .100  .097 .027 .0474 .003 .023 G3845 aim high 9.00 .14 .90 .025 .0375 .005 .015x niobium actual 9.07 .116 .80 .034 .0306 .019 .018 G3846

The second low niobium heat was set to be 0.06% in carbon below stoichiometric balance required to form known precipitates with alloy carbide formers and the actual heat was close to that aim with a carbon content just 0.08% below balance. The high niobium heat was aimed to be 0.07% deficient in the carbon necessary to meet the need for carbon to form a stoichiometric balance with the alloy carbide formers but the final product was 0.10% deficient. However the carbon necessary to combine with the primary, MC, type carbide formers such as VC, TiC, and NbC was 0.03 % more than in the aim chemistry.

The ¾ ton ingots were rotary forged to 4.9375″ round corner squares which were further hot rolled then machined to final bar in sizes from 0.500 to 2.107″ rounds. Hot acid macro examination of the billets from both heats showed excellent freedom from segregation and pattern at all locations from products of both heats. Bar samples were then tested for heat treat response, hot hardness, etc.

Bar samples from both heats of annealed material were hardened in salt, quenched, then tempered in air for two hours for each cycle.

Heat Treat Response: Melt G3845: Low Niobium Hardness HRC

Austenitize As 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Temperature Quenched Temper Temper Temper Temper Temper ° F. HRC ° F. HRC HRC HRC HRC 2120 64.3  979 64.3 65.4 66.3 66.6 2140 64.1 64.5 65.6 66.1 66.2 2160 63.6 64.4 65.8 66.6 66.5 2200 62.0 63.5 65.2 66.6 66.7 2240 61.8 63.9 66.1 66.9 67.3 2250 61.2 64.4 66.0 67.0 67.5 2120 64.3 1033 66.0 65.7 65.2 65.3 2140 64.1 66.0 63.8 65.5 65.1 2160 63.6 66.1 66.1 66.7 65.7 2180 63.2 65.5 66.0 65.7 — 2200 62.0 66.3 67.0 65.9 66.7 2240 61.8 66.6 67.3 67.5 67.6 2250 61.2 66.8 67.7 67.6 67.6 2200 62.0 1060 66.2 66.1 66.0 65.9 2240 61.8 66.3 66.3 56.9 66.0 2250 61.2 66.4 66.6 66.6 66.3 2120 64.3 1085 65.0 63.8 63.2 63.0 2140 64.1 65.1 64.0 63.7 63.2 2160 63.6 65.4 64.5 64.1 63.9 2200 62.0 65.9 65.4 65.5 64.7 2240 61.8 66.2 66.0 65.9 65.6 2250 61.2 66.7 66.6 66.3 66.1 2200 62.0 1099 66.7 65.0 64.5 64.4 2250 61.2 66.5 65.9 65.6 65.2

Heat Treat Response: Melt G3846 High Niobium Hardness HRC

Austenitize AS 1st 2nd 3rd Temperature Quenched Temper Temper Temper Temper ° F. HRC ° F. HRC HRC HRC 2120 64.4  979 64.3 65.2 64.5 2140 64.3 63.9 64.0 64.1 2160 65.2 65.0 65.6 65.6 2180 63.6 63.8 64.4 65.1 2200 64.4 65.1 65.9 65.7 2220 64.2 65.2 66.1 67.1 2240 64.1 65.5 66.2 66.5 2260 63.3 64.9 64.8 65.0 2120 63.5 1033 62.0 62.0 61.1 2140 65.0 64.8 64.8 64.2 2160 65.2 64.8 64.8 64.4 2180 64.5 65.1 65.1 65.1 2200 64.7 65.2 65.2 65.0 2220 64.1 65.7 65.7 65.9 2240 64.1 65.9 65.9 65.7 2260 63.3 66.1 66.1 66.0 2120 64.0 1085 — 57.4 53.2 2140 65.0 63.4 63.1 62.6 2160 64.9 63.4 63.5 63.2 2180 64.7 63.4 63.7 63.0 2200 64.4 63.9 64.0 63.3 2220 64.1 64.5 64.2 63.5 2240 63.5 64.2 64.0 63.6 2260 64.2 64.1 64.2 63.3

Bar samples from heat G2845 were hardened and tempered and given aging treatments to measure resistance to softening in cutting operations.

Bar samples from heat G3845 were hardened and tempered and given aging treatments to measure resistance to softening in cutting operations.

Percentage Retained Hardness—HRC of G3845 Low Niobium Heat Aged at 1128° F.

Austenitization at 164 at 335 Temperature initial hours % hours % °F. HRC HRC Retained HRC Retained 2180 65.7 41.1 62.6 27.47 41.8 2240 66.8 43.1 64.5 30.74 46.0

Additional samples from heat G3845 were hardened and tempered then tested at elevated temperatures for hot hardness.

Hot Hardness G3845 Low Niobium Heat Hardness—HRC and Percent of Initial Hardness Retained

Room 900° F. 1000° F. 1100° F. 1200° F. Austenitize Temperature HRC HRC HRC HRC Temperature HRC % % % % 2180 66.0 57.0 52.3 48.8 35.5 86.4 79.2 73.9 53.8 2240 66.8 57.6 56.4 51.1 38.9 86.2 84.4 76.5 58.2

While several embodiments have been shown and described, it should be recognized that other variations and/or modifications not described herein are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 

We claim:
 1. An alloy steel consisting essentially of by weight about 0.75 to 1.25% carbon, 0.3 to 1.35% manganese, 0.036 to 0.300% sulphur, less than 0.04% phosphorous, 0.1 to 0.7% silicon, 3.25 to 5% chromium, 5.25 to 12% molybdenum, less than 0.5% cobalt, 0.5 to 1.75% vanadium, 0.5 to 5% tungsten, 0.03 to 1.25% aluminum, 0.15 to 2.5 niobium, 0.25 to 2.5% zirconium, 0.3 to 4.75% tantalum, and 0.015 to 0.1% titanium, balance substantially iron.
 2. The alloy steel of claim 1 wherein the alloy is treated in a liquid state with up to 0.05 wt. % of magnesium or calcium.
 3. An alloy steel consisting essentially of by weight about 0.7 to 1.4% carbon, up to 1% manganese, less than 0.04% phosphorous, less than 0.7% silicon 3 to 6% chromium, 4 to 12% molybdenum, less than 0.5% cobalt, 0.75 to 2.25% vanadium, 1 to 7% tungsten, 0.03 to 1.25% aluminum, 0.25 to 2% niobium, and 0.015 to 0.07 % titanium, balance substantially iron.
 4. The alloy steel of claim 3 containing about 0.75 to 1.2% carbon, 0.1 to 0.7% manganese, 0.1 to 0.6% silicon, 3.25 to 5% chromium, 4 to 10% molybdenum, 2 to 7% tungsten, 0.03 to 0.25% aluminum, and 0.015 to 0.05% titanium, balance substantially iron.
 5. An alloy steel consisting essentially of by weight about 0.85 to 1.25% carbon, 0.1 to 0.7% manganese, less than 0.04% phosphorous, 0.1 to 0.7% silicon, 3.25 to 5% chromium, 5.25 to 12% molybdenum, less than 0.5% cobalt, 0.75 to 2.25 vanadium 3 to 7% tungsten, 0.03 to 1.25% aluminum, 0.25 to 2% niobium, and 0.015 to 0.07% titanium, balance substantially iron.
 6. The alloy steel of claim 3 containing about 0.75 to 1.25% carbon, 0.1 to 0.7% manganese, 0.1 to 0.7% silicon, 3.25 to 5.0% chromium, 5.25 to 12.00% molybdenum, 0.75 to 1.75% vanadium, 1.0 to 5.0% tungsten, 0.03 to 1.25% aluminum, and 0.015 to 0.1 % titanium, balance substantially iron. 